Texas Rangers

Texas Rangers news, rumors and injuries

Texas Rangers RP Neftali Feliz has given up four hit, three walks and three runs in his last three spring outings, but manager Jeff Bannister is not concerned about his closer. "He says he feels good and is right here he needs to be," Banister said. "Closers are different cats. Some of them get all hopped up and are boiling all the time and some have ice water in their veins. I haven't seen him yet in a real high octane situation yet to get a feel."

Fantasy Tip: After missing all of the 2013 season due to injury, Feliz bounced back with a 1.99 ERA and 13 saves in 30 outings in 2014. He'll need to regain the juice on his heater to return to pre-2013 levels, but Feliz is worth a cheap gamble as a saves option at the end of standard drafts.

Texas Rangers SS Elvis Andrus (back) was scratched from the spring game Monday, March 30, with typical spring back stiffness.

Fantasy Tip: Andrus ($5,000, 10.0% of cap) is likely being extremely cautious with opening day exactly a week from today. He should be fine for the start of the season, and he's in line for a bounceback year after a disappointing 2014 season.

Texas Rangers OF Ryan Rua is likely to start the season as the team's starting left fielder. OF Nate Schierholtz, his closest competition, was notified he would not make the team and Schierholtz requested his release.

Fantasy Tip: This is a bit of a surprise development from the Rangers, but it may be an indication they're looking at younger talent. Rua should be a pick in deeper AL drafts only, as not much is known about whether Rua can hit well enough to keep his job yet.

Fantasy Tip: Schierholtz was once a decent outfielder but those days appear to be gone. He hit all of .195 last year and was a longshot to make the Rangers. Still, Schierholtz lost what fantasy value he had and should not be picked up until another opportunity arises, if even then.

Fantasy Tip: Detwiler ($3,700, 7.4% of cap) is likely best left to the late rounds of drafts in AL-only formats. However, there are mixed formats which reward starters who also carry eligibility as a reliever and Detwiler qualifies. Still, he wasn't overly successful pitching out of the rotation through his 69 career starts -- 4.02 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 5.3 K/9. He is nothing more than a lottery ticket for FantasyScore contests in his first start, too.

Fantasy Tip: Gallardo ($4,600, 9.2% of cap) draws a new-look Oakland lineup in a favorable pitching environment. At his price, consider him a low-priced flier for FantasyScore contests, just remember he is no longer a strikeout force like in the early days of his career. In mixed seasonal leagues, Gallardo is likely best utilized as a streaming option in favorable matchups.

Fantasy Tip: Gallo is an impressive young prospect in Texas' organization that is most known for his off-the-charts power at the plate. He's currently blocked by Adrian Beltre at the hot corner, but he's a candidate to come up later in 2015 when rosters expand. Gallo is only a candidate for AL-only and keeper league rosters.

Texas Rangers OF Shin-Soo Choo (triceps) could be sidelined for several days because of tightness in his left triceps. According to assistant general manager Thad Levine, the injury is not serious and may have been caused by doing too much throwing. In a best-case scenario, Choo could be used as the designated hitter as soon as Sunday, March 22.

Fantasy Tip: Choo could be available in the middle or later rounds of most universal fantasy drafts because of his recent injury history and disappointing numbers last season. If healthy, a 20-20 season isn't out of the question.

Philadelphia Phillies SP Cole Hamels continues to be discussed in trade talks with the Texas Rangers, according to sources. The teams are not close to a deal, though. The Phillies are said to be seeking three good prospects, including a top-flight one, in return for Hamels.

Fantasy Tip: Don't expect Hamels to finish the 2015 season with Philadelphia, and a relocation could be a significant fantasy boost. However, there is no telling when a deal will take place or where he'll go. Hamels remains a strong No. 2 starter for your fake rotation and worth targeting after the top arms come off the board on draft day.

Fantasy Tip: Gallo is one of the Rangers' top prospects, but he's currently blocked at third base by Adrian Beltre. There's a chance he sees the majors in 2015, but it may not be until the second half of the season. He'll be a popular target in AL-only and keeper leagues, but you can likely avoid him in standard leagues for now.

Texas Rangers SP Yu Darvish (elbow) underwent successful Tommy John surgery on his right elbow Tuesday, March 17. The procedure was performed by Dr. James Andrews, and he replaced the ligament in Darvish's elbow with the Palmaris tendon from his right forearm. Darvish's right arm will be in a sling for seven to 10 days, and then he'll move to a brace. He'll start his rehab in the next few days and is expected to do rehab work in Texas during the regular season.

Fantasy Tip: Darvish will miss the entire 2015 season, and he may struggled to return in time for opening day in 2016. That could make him a draft bargain next year, however. In Darvish's absence, Ross Detwiler may now be a front-runner for a rotation spot. Only consider drafting Detwiler in deep AL-only formats.

Fantasy Tip: The power-hitting third baseman is blocked at his primary position by Adrian Beltre. He tallied 291 plate appearances in Double-A last year and should receive more seasoning in the minors. A strong showing could earn him a summer promotion to the majors, though, where his huge power would immediately make him fantasy relevant. Gamers can consider spending a late-round pick to stash the powerful Gallo, but beware of his strikeouts and the low batting average likely to accompany the homers.

Fantasy Tip: In seasonal formats, you can cross Darvish off your draft lists. He is an interesting stash candidate in dynasty/keeper formats, though, and the viability of holding him for the 2015 season will largely depend on your league's roster settings. Ross Detwiler appears to be a lock for the rotation now, but at this point, he should be viewed as a late-round option in AL-only formats and cavernous mixed leagues.